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Town, Village Of Ossining Celebrate Police Agreement

OSSINING, N.Y. -- It was all smiles at Village and Town Hall in Ossining on Tuesday as the two municipalities formally announced that beginning on Jan. 1, the Village of Ossining Police Department will police the unincorporated part of the town.

Town Supervisor Susan Donnelly, Village Police Chief Joseph Burton and Village Mayor Bill Hanauer at a press conference in Ossining.

Town Supervisor Susan Donnelly, Village Police Chief Joseph Burton and Village Mayor Bill Hanauer at a press conference in Ossining.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

Village Mayor Bill Hanauer and Town Supervisor Susan Donnelly made the announcement at a press conference. The two governments announced last week they had agreed in principle, with the town approving the agreement Tuesday night, Oct. 14 and the village approving the agreement Wednesday night, Oct. 15.

The town had previously contracted for its police coverage with Westchester County Police.

The contract will run from Jan. 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2018. The town will pay the village $7.5 million for four years, or about $1.87 million. The contract with the county would've cost the town $10.3 million or about $2.5 million annually.

"This was certainly not an easy decision, but one that was arrived at after much deliberation and consideration," Donnelly said. "All parties had an opportunity to learn a great deal about the provision of police services, including the scheduling of officers and coverage that will be provided the town."

As part of the agreement, five police officers will be added to the village department. 

"This is a remarkable achievement," Hanauer said of the inter-municipal agreement. "The village will be able to provide seamless coverage."

Hanauer said the agreement will provide significant savings to residents in the unincorporated part of the town.

"This agreement suits the needs of both municipalities," Hanauer said. "We look forward to wonderful cooperation between the village and the town. The town residents will have familiar faces as their police. I am really excited about this."

Donnelly said town residents will not see much of a chance in their police coverage.

"This will bring the community closer together," Donnelly said. 

Village Trustee Bob Daraio said the agreement was long overdue.

"I think it's brilliant," Daraio said. "We get the best of both worlds. This is a win-win for everybody."

 

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